Meet Paula Deen's Real Women of Philadelphia Winner: Caryn Ross
Two months ago 4 very fortunate women each won $25,000 and the chance to host an incredible nationwide recipe contest for Paula Deen and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Their recipes will be in a cookbook featuring recipes with Philly later this year. During the next couple of months home cooks can
visit the RWOP website every week and enter their favorite Philly recipes for a chance to win $500 and a spot in the upcoming book. A total of $40,000 will be given away during the contest!
It's been quite a ride for these for winners, including "
Appetizer Host" Caryn Ross. Caryn took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions and to share one of her favorite recipes with me.
Caryn, What is your earliest memory in the kitchen?
"My earliest memory is cooking scrambled eggs with my mom. I believe I was in either 3rd or 4th grade. My mom encouraged my experimentation in the kitchen. She taught me that a good cook is one who cleans up too! So, the clean up was crucial to our agreement that if I was to cook I also must tidy up! Her encouragement also continued in our travels. When we traveled she bought me cookbooks and that is how my collection began. I loved to sit and read my cookbooks and then plan my meals for the week. We would go to the grocery store on Saturday mornings and buy all the things needed to make amazing meals."
What is your favorite type or style of food to prepare?
"I love all types of cooking. I'm currently in a Thai mode. I love creating curries and experimenting with spices in fish and chicken. I would have to say I'm influenced all the time by what I read, taste and see. For example, last night I had sweet corn tamales with peppers and cheese. Today I have been on the internet, then took a trip to a bookstore and finally talked to a chef to figure out how to make these at home. If I see something that looks amazing, I make it a personal challenge to figure out how to make it. I'm a very curious cook!"
Have you had any funny kitchen or entertaining disasters?
"Well, I blew a door off a gas oven! I was in college and cooking dinner for my girlfriends and our dates. We were at one of the guys house that had an old gas oven. Our menu included my famous "man-catching" lasagna! So, I was preheating the oven for the lasagna with the sauce on the stovetop. Just as I walked out of the room, the gas ignited the build-up in the oven and flung the oven door off its hinges and sent it flying across the room! The fire department was called and I was introduced to the fact that older gas ovens require their pilot light to be lit each time its used. We scrapped dinner that night and went out for pizza!"
Why did you decide to enter the Real Women of Philadelphia (RWOP) contest?
"I was inspired because it used cream cheese. In the Midwest, cream cheese is a food group! So, when I saw the contest on Paula Deen's website, I thought to myself... "You can do this!" I got out the tripod and got cooking and taping my videos! Throughout the contest I have to say I was proud of myself for doing this by myself and for myself! I believed in me and look where it got me!"
What was it like to meet Paula Deen and do you have a favorite moment with her?
"I loved meeting Paula! I get asked all the time if she is the same in real life as she appears on TV. The answer is a resounding YES! Paula is one of the kindest most genuine ladies around. She has not let fame get to her. She loves her family so much and that is very evident in her words and actions. I loved getting to know her bawdy and silly humor. We're similar in that respect. My favorite moment was when she invited us to her home after our final cooking show taping. She opened it up for all of us to see and gave us a personal tour of everything!! It was really special. She is a very gracious woman and I feel so honored to be a guest in her private haven."
Now that you've won... what is your favorite part of your new roll as a RWOP host?
"My favorite part is the interaction with the RWOP community. I'm amazed by all the recipes and the creativity. As if that isn't enough, the other part I enjoy is hearing the personal stories behind all the great recipes. I hear from people all over the country and even received a message from a kind women in Mexico. It is amazing that a simple blog of Philly cream cheese has brought so many people together!"
What is your favorite recipe using cream cheese?
"I can't pick my absolute #1 favorite since I'm really a fan of so many of the entries. I will tell you that I recently made Merry Graham's Bratwurst Swirls with Philly Mustard Cream Cheese. The men in my life loved the bratwurst and I loved that they were surrounded in cream cheese and puffed pastry. These would be perfect to serve at a football party this fall!"
